Queering Wikipedia 2020/Travel

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Travel

How to get to the venue and hotel

From Linz Central Station

From Linz Central Station you can take a bus or a tram to the venue and hotel. The following bus line is possible: 12 (direction Karlhof). The bus ride takes about 10 mins. Get off at Parkbad bus stop. Or you take any tram (direction Universität or Landgutstraße) and get off at “Hauptplatz” tram stop and enjoy a walk.

You get bus and tram tickets at the ticket vending machines (marked LINZ AG LINIEN) at Linz Central Station. A ticket in one direction costs 2.30 Euro, choose the one called MIDI-Karte. A 24-hours-ticket costs 4.50 Euro and offers unlimited rides on the public transport system.

From Vienna International Airport

There’s a direct train connection between Vienna International Airport and Linz Central Station which is served multiple times per hour during daytime. Depending on the train, the journey lasts 1 h 41 mins or a little longer.

Train travel in Austria is regarded as safe and reliable. The railway line is served by ÖBB, Austria’s national railway system. Information and tickets: oebb.at/en

Visa

Schengen Area visa lists.      Schengen Area      Other EU member states outside the Schengen Area but bound by the same visa policy and legally obliged to join the Area when they meet the criteria, and special territories of Schengen member states (freedom of movement in the Schengen Area)      Members of the EU single market with independent visa policies (freedom of movement in the Schengen Area)      Visa-free access to the Schengen states for short stays, usually 90 days in any 180-day period (EU 2018/1806 Annex II)      Visa required to enter the Schengen states, and to transit some Schengen states in some circumstances (EU 2018/1806 Annex I)      Visa required to transit any Schengen state (EC 810/2009 Annex IV)      Travel documents not accepted

Schengen area

Visas for stays of up to 90 days are not required for citizens of the EU, the EEA and Switzerland, much of Eastern Europe, Israel, USA, Canada, the majority of Central and South American nations, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. All other nationalities, including nationals of Belarus, China and Russia, require a visa. For some nationals a biometric passport is required.

Austria is part of the Schengen Agreement, which includes all EU states (except Ireland) and other states. In practical terms this means a visa issued by one Schengen country is good for all the other member countries. You can stay for a maximum of 90 days within a time frame of 180 days.

Please check whether or not you need a visa to enter Austria:

• www.bmi.gv.at/202/Fremdenpolizei_und_Grenzkontrolle/Visumpflichtige_Laender/files/BF_EN_HP_BMI_Visaliste_20190220.pdf

More and detailed information on the Schengen Visa:

• www.bmeia.gv.at/en/travel-stay/entry-and-residence-in-austria/entry-and-visa/schengen-visa

List of Austrian embassies where you can apply:

• www.bmeia.gv.at/en/embassies-consulates/search-for-austrian-representations

Wikimedia Austria (WMAT) will need you to provide following information to help you with your visa:

• a copy/scan of your passport
• your date of birth and place of birth
• your current address of residence
• your travel dates and information

We strongly recommend that you check the amount of time needed for applications to Schengen states and apply as early as possible. You will need to make an appointment with the closest Austrian embassy/consulate in your area. If there is no Austrian embassy/consulate you may have to visit the embassy/consulate of another European Union country. You can find a list of embassies/consulates on the website of the Austrian Ministry for Foreign Affairs: https://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/embassies-consulates/search-for-austrian-representations/

Moreover, please note that if you are transiting certain countries (e.g. USA, United Kingdom) en route to Linz, you may also be required to apply for a transit visa. WMAT can assist you with your visa application and will provide the following documents:

• Letter of invitation
• Copy of registration of association of WMAT
• Copy of identity card from the person signing the letter of invitation
• Electronic Guarantee Letter (EVE) (scholarship holders only)
• Foreign travel health insurance (scholarship holders only)
• Travel plan for your flight / train (scholarship holders only)
• Hotel room booking confirmation (scholarship holders only)

Please only reserve your flight and book your flight once the visa is successfully issued to you. In case you also successfully apply for a scholarship the flight reservation as well as the booking will be handled by Wikimedia Austria.

COVID-2019 situation

The future of the worldwide coronavirus situation is currently unpredictable thus we continue organizing the conference and the travel bookings for scholarship holders. Please keep yourself updated about the COVID-2019 situation in your home country. We will update you if the conference is in danger of being cancelled due to the virus.

More information

Please check the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control for any coronavirus updates in Europe.

The Austrian Federal Ministry for Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Protection has published FAQs about the virus and the Austrian situation.

Recommendations

• Book your journey with an cancellation insurance.
• If you’re not a citizen of an EU country get yourself a travel health insurance for your stay in Austria/Europe.
• Inform yourself about travel bans issued by your home countries.
• Quarantine regulations may apply in Austria and/or you home country.